Scientific Language Glossary

A term derived from "cultivated variety" denoting an assemblage of cultivated plants clearly distinguished by one or more characters (morphological, physiological, cytological, chemical, or other). When reproduced (either sexually or asexually), the assemblage retains its distinguishing characters. A cultivar may arise in cultivation or be introduced from the wild. It is a variant that is of horticultural interest or value. Cultivar names are written with single quotation marks around them, e.g. 'Moano' or 'Wehiwa'.

Having a natural distribution restricted to a particular geographic region. Compare native.

A taxonomic group of one or more genera with features, ancestry, or both in common. It is the term for the principal rank between order and genus.

All of the animal life present in a particular region or time.

All the plants growing in a certain region or country.

Any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. pl. fungi

A group of one or more species with features or ancestry (or both) in common. Genus is the principal category of taxa intermediate in rank between family and species in the standard nomenclatural hierarchy. pl. genera​

Native to the area, not introduced, and not necessarily confined to the region discussed or present throughout it (hardly distinct from ‘native’ but usually applied to a smaller area). Compare endemic.

A non-native (or alien) species to the ecosystem under consideration whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.

Naturally occurring in an area, but not necessarily confined to it. Compare endemic.

Describing a species, introduced from another region, that grows and reproduces readily in competition with the natural flora.

The naming of things; often restricted to the correct use of scientific names in taxonomy; a system that sets out provisions for the formation and use of names.

Not naturally occurring in an area, but are introduced as the result of deliberate or accidental human activities. Unlike invasive species, non-native species may not hinder or prevent the survival of others within the ecosystem. 

A group of one or more families sharing common features, ancestry, or both.

Species introduced by early Polynesians who migrated to the Hawaiian islands from other islands in the Pacific.

A group, or populations of individuals sharing common features and/or ancestry, generally the smallest group that can be readily and consistently recognized; often, a group of individuals capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. The basic unit of classification is the category of taxa of the lowest principal rank in the nomenclatural hierarchy. Strict assignment to a species is not always possible, as it is subject to particular contexts and the species concept under consideration.

A taxonomic category within a species, usually used for geographically isolated or morphologically distinct populations of the same species. Its taxonomic rank occurs between species and variety.

A group or category in a system of biological classification. pl. taxa

Often variety in common usage and abbreviated as var. A taxonomic rank below that of species and between the ranks of subspecies and form.